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This delicious Oven Baked Chicken Parmesan recipe is easy and doesn’t require any frying. Because this chicken Parmesan is baked, it is healthy, quick and easy! Make this crispy baked Parmesan crusted chicken for dinner tonight in about thirty minutes!
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Baked instead of fried!
I always think of Chicken Parmesan as being a complicated and labor intensive recipe – but I recently discovered that Oven Baked Chicken Parmesan is not only easy, but quick enough for a weeknight dinner!
This is a great chicken breast recipe – cutting the chicken breasts in half lengthwise and then pounding them slightly to make them even thickness will help them cook quickly and really helps you achieve more of a restaurant quality taste.
How to cut chicken breasts in half
I have never cut my chicken breasts like this before, but it is very simple and makes a huge difference the cooking time and taste. Simply cut through the middle as if you are going to butterfly the chicken breast (cutting it open like a book), but cut all the way through to make two equal sized pieces.
After cutting the chicken breasts in half, place them in a gallon sized zip top bag in an even layer, seal it, then pound them to an even thickness. You can use a meat pounder or a rolling pin to do this. You can also place the chicken breasts between two layers of cling wrap instead of a zip top bag if you prefer.
How to make Oven Baked Chicken Parmesan
- Line a baking sheet with foil, brush foil with olive oil. Adjust oven rack so that is in the second from the top space. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
- Cut the chicken breasts in half and pound to even thickness.
- Pat the chicken breasts dry with a paper towel, then season with salt and pepper.
- In one shallow dish, mix together panko bread crumbs, grated parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, garlic powder, oregano, and black pepper.
- In another shallow dish, whisk one egg.
- Dip one chicken breast into the egg, then into the bread crumb mixture. Ensure chicken breast is fully coated in the crumb mixture, and gently press with your hand do help the crumbs stick to the chicken. Place chicken breast on prepared baking sheet, repeat with remaining pieces of chicken.
- Place baking sheet in oven on the second from the top rack. Bake for 15 minutes, or until cooked through. Flip chicken, pour 1/4 cup of marinara sauce over each piece of chicken, then top with cheese. Place back in the oven. Turn on the broiler. Broil for 2-4 minutes, until cheese is melted and bubbly and edges of chicken are browning.
What temperature do you bake Chicken Parmesan at?
Bake this Chicken Parmesan at 400 degrees to ensure it is nice and crispy, then finish it under the broiler.
How long do you bake Chicken Parmesan in the oven?
Because the chicken breasts have been cut in half and pounded to an equal thickness, they cook very quickly – it only takes about 15 minutes for them to be done.
Do you need to cover chicken Parmesan in the oven?
No, I did not cover the chicken while baking it. Leaving the chicken uncovered allows with to get more crispy and prevents it from getting soggy.
What is the best Parmesan Cheese to use for Baked Chicken Parmesan?
As always, I recommend buying a wedge of Parmesan cheese and grating it yourself rather then buying pre-grated Parmesan cheese. Often containers of pre-grated Parmesan have wood pulp in them, not to mention they just don’t taste as good. You are better off buying a wedge of real Parmigiano-Reggiano and using a microplane to grate it.
Is baked chicken parmesan healthy?
Baked Chicken Parmesan is healthy because it is baked and not fried, which means it uses less oil. Using chicken breasts means it has lots of protein but less fat. I use my homemade marinara sauce, which has no added sugar. And you can control the type of cheese you use, as well as how much. Although I prefer to use whole milk mozzarella, you can also use part skim if you prefer (it just doesn’t melt quite as nicely, and I think the difference in calories is minimal). One serving of this Baked Chicken Parmesan has 436 calories vs Olive Garden Chicken Parmesan which has 1450 calories according to their website.
Ready to make Baked Chicken Parmesan? This recipe calls for marinara sauce – I always make my Easy 20 Minute Marinara for this, because it is so fast. I start it right before I start the chicken, then when it is time to put the marinara on the chicken, the sauce is done.
More Easy Italian Recipes
Creamy Sausage and Tortellini Soup
Sausage Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms
Oven Baked Chicken Parmesan
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 chicken breasts About 1 pound of chicken total
- 1 egg
- 1 cup panko bread crumbs
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese fresh grated
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella
- 2 tablespoon minced parsley optional, for garnish
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet with foil, brush foil with olive oil. Adjust oven rack so that is in the second from the top space. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Cut the chicken breasts in half and pound to even thickness: Cut through the middle of the chicken breast as if you are going to butterfly it (cutting it open like a book), but cut all the way through to make two equal sized pieces.
- After cutting the chicken breasts in half, place them in a gallon sized zip top bag in an even layer, seal it, then pound them to an even thickness using a meat pounder or a rolling pin. You can also place the chicken breasts between two layers of cling wrap instead of a zip top bag if you prefer.
- Pat the chicken breasts dry with a paper towel, then season with salt and pepper.
- In one shallow dish, mix together panko bread crumbs, grated parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, garlic powder, oregano, and black pepper.
- In another shallow dish, whisk one egg.
- Dip one chicken breast into the egg, then into the bread crumb mixture. Ensure chicken breast is fully coated in the crumb mixture, and gently press with your hand do help the crumbs stick to the chicken. Place chicken breast on prepared baking sheet, repeat with remaining pieces of chicken.
- Place baking sheet in oven on the second from the top rack. Bake for 15 minutes, or until cooked through.
- Flip chicken, pour 1/4 cup of marinara sauce over each piece of chicken, then top with cheese. Place back in the oven. Turn on the broiler. Broil for 2-4 minutes, until cheese is melted and bubbly and edges of chicken are browning.
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Love this recipe so much. Thank you! Wondering if I can prep everything ahead of time a couple hours??
Hi, I’m so glad you love it! That would be fine but keep in mind the chicken might not stay crispy. If you want the chicken to be as crispy as possible, you could prepare everything (make sauce, prepare chicken, grate cheese, whisk eggs, measure breadcrumbs), then bread the chicken right before baking.
I just made this and it was soooo good! The best chicken parm I’ve made and I have leftovers for lunch ❤️
Yay, so happy to hear that!
Hi Meghan,
Thanks for this recipe. I have been baking my chicken for ages now because of the whole cholesterol news. Your Chicken Parmesan looks new and attractive. I think I will be using a garlic and cinnamon spice for mine, what do you think?
Cinnamon? Wtf
Great recipe and so easy!
So happy to hear that!
This was so easy to make and came out really delicious. I used thighs, fresh mozzarella and homemade sauce leftover from lasagna that I had in the freezer. I did bake it 12 minutes after flipping to get cheese to melt completely.
I’m so glad you loved it!
When I tried this recipe, the chicken was tender. My entire family enjoyed it!! It’s a delectable weekend lunch option. I adore anything containing cheese, haha. Thank you so much for sharing the recipe.
So glad you loved it.
My family and I absolutely love this recipe. Easy and better than any restaurant we’ve ever had.
I’m so happy to hear that!
verry gud
I love how simple you have made this recipe. I am going to try this week.
Great recipe. I has something new to try out today. Keep up the good work.
Hi, I made this last night. I did use the RAOS MARINARA I had on hand. I did put it on almost the entire tops of the chicken, & load freshly grated mozzarella all over the tops. Haha, I forgot to turn the breasts over before I put the sauce & cheese on them. They turned out great. I used Italian bread crumbs instead of panko. I always wonder why they call panko ‘bread crumbs’ when it’s made out of rice, lol! I served steamed broccoli 🥦 with the chicken & spaghetti 🍝. I put grated parmesan on top of the pasta & sauce. I was wondering why your beaten eggs 🥚 photo has green bits in your photo? The directions say nothing about adding anything to them. Looks like parsley. I did add 1/2 tsp. of Italian seasoning & 1/2 tsp. of dried basil to the crumbs, because my dried oregano was too old. I cut down the amt. of salt in it as well. An entire cup of crumbs was not needed, so I had to toss a lot in the trash. I did coat my chicken very well with it. I had to cook the chicken longer than 15 mins. I did butterfly it & pound it evenly & thin. Thank you! Yum! 💜🌺🌿
My panko breadcrumbs are made from wheat without any rice. Reread your label and see if it’s true for yours, too.
Easy and better than any restaurant meal I have ever had. Thank you
Substitution for egg wash, I’ve got a child allergic to eggs.
Thank you.
Hi, the egg wash helps the coating stick. I haven’t tried anything else, but you could try using melted butter instead. Let us know how it turns out!
I always use melted butter instead of eggs. I just brush it on. So easy and less messy. Then I sprinkle the bread crumbs on top and press it in with my hands.
Great idea, thanks for sharing!
Try ground flaxseed mixed with a bit of water. Or just spray canola?
Butter unsalted brush the chicken breast with it
I’ve used olive oil before and it works just as well!!
Dip in olive oil then Crumbs. My son is allergic to egg as well
My husband has commented at least half a dozen times how delicious this recipe is. Thank you! Found it on a random internet search. Glad I did.
My family and enjoyed this so much!
Delicious!!
Made this last night. It was a hit! So good!
I wish I would’ve known about this when my kids were growing up. It would’ve made dinner time so much easier! Thanks
This is my go to recipe. My family loves it and request it all the time.
I made this tonight. It was quick and very delicious.
I love this recipe.
I’m so happy that you loved it!
This was the first time I made this and it was delicious!!
So happy to hear that!
I’ve made this several times and loved it! Have you ever frozen it? If so, how did you do it?
Hi Joanne – I’m so glad you love the recipe! I have not tried to freeze this yet, I would love to hear in the comments from other readers if they have!